In our prayers, and forever mindful...

[walt]

The 26D is of course very similar to what I have (26S) and I’m pretty sure that I could have all those people in the cockpit without any problem. The picture just before the accident looks to me like the boat is full of water - listed over to one side, etc.

What if they completely forgot to tighten the ballast valve and also completely left the stopper out of the access hole. With the valve open, water can come in from the bottom of the boat and with all that weight in the back, it can put the ballast tank access hole below the water line. It’s a one inch OD hole - I think it could really be a gusher for filling the boat with water.

Several years ago, I was sailing a Coronado 15 and flipped it - filling the interior of the hull with water. Once the water was in the hull, my weight did almost nothing to act as ballast. The boat was completely unstable - had to get towed in.

Note – my boat has a big warning label near the tank valve and access hole giving clear instructions about filling the tank, closing the valve, having the stopper in place. If this particular issue did have anything to do with the accident, I think they would have had no issue that day if the valve had been closed and the stopper in place.

 

[doehunter]

I just finished reading the thread in SA.
When I got my boat I thought the way they made the air vent hole was a little cheesy but I figured that it must work or it wouldn't be like that. I think I will go in there and fab up something where a plug will have more to hang on to. Maybe glass in a short standpipe? I will double check to see if the water valve actually seals too.
Also I need to get inside my laz, and really check out the plumbing there too.
I had not considered the possibility of water coming in from the engine well and draining into the laz. I'm not sure if the laz is sealed from the cabin, but it seems like that would be a good thing. Maybe even rig the lid so it seals?
That pic of their boat with the bow out of the water was from the day before. It looks to me like it was already having issues before they went out. I'm still getting acquainted with my Mac, but I know what a boat full of water feels like, been there.
It's a tragedy, but also a wake up for me. I think I might leave all my flotation in.
Jim

 

[Robspan]

The drain plug/seal and the air vent plug work fine on my boat. The only times I've had more water than a big sponge (my primary bilge pump) could handle is when I had senior moments and forgot to tighten the seal and/or put the vent plug in after launching. Even then it wasn't a dangerous amount, more of a pita to bail out.

I really think that the most likely cause was an empty or partially empty ballast tank. It's hard to believe that the boat would have pitchpoled like that in calm weather if there had been ballast.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

Doe, my last thought was the lazarette getting full of water. the engine well might be below the waterline, and if there was a leak in the hoses, it would fill the laz pretty fast.

the bulkhead is lightly attached and not completely water tight... open at top. (i beefed the bulkhead up, but doubt it could hold a laz full of water (too much pressure).

the pic with the bow out of the water just looks wrong.

but trying to correct the masses on our boats functions is a trying effort...

my other theory is the owner read the current model instructions and was motoring (no boom) with out ballast... (and probably got away with it before).

 

[doehunter]

Doe, my last thought was the lazarette getting full of water. the engine well might be below the waterline, and if there was a leak in the hoses, it would fill the laz pretty fast.

the bulkhead is lightly attached and not completely water tight... open at top. (i beefed the bulkhead up, but doubt it could hold a laz full of water (too much pressure).

the pic with the bow out of the water just looks wrong.

but trying to correct the masses on our boats functions is a trying effort...

my other theory is the owner read the current model instructions and was motoring (no boom) with out ballast... (and probably got away with it before).

That guy was no newbie. He should have known better than to let that situation develop. Too many people. Non swimmers?, water in the boat.

I just hope others will learn from it.
I'm no angel. I'm guilty of pushing the limits on the Hobie when I'm out with my boys, but I sail conservatively if I have other passengers. And I don't ever overload my boat.
The Mac adds a new dimension for me. All of my other sailboats, could capsize, but could be pulled back up by the crew, and continue sailing.
Before I saw this, I kinda went at it like the Mac can't capsize because of the ballast. Well I didn't consider that I could lose control of my ballast.
I saw your post over there in SA, and it made me think, I should do a better job of making sure my ballast stays put, making sure the drains work, and just trying to make my boat as safe as I can. (knowing me, after I get used to the boat, I'll still probably push it!)
Jim

 

[walt]

Just an FYI in resposne to Doe Hunters ideas.. I think the tube would be good. I think a few people have used JB epoxy and PVC with no issues...

Ive had my 26S loaded heavilly enough (6 people) that the access hole can be below water line. I put in the dam shown. With this dam, I will never have an issue even if I completely forget to plug the holes. The outside water line would have to get higher than the dam.

Its sort of moron proofing the boat which probably isnt necessary.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

(and walt went with larger diameter due to the hot water they pump in and out to kill the zebra mussels.)

a few others have tubes to raise the overflow point (in one of SA my posts )

Rerouting the cockpit drain would be good, but don't put in all hard pvc lines... boats need some flex in the plumbing... so keep some hoses to allow some flex.

I also keep thinking skipper read the current model instructions and thought it ok to motor with out ballast (the x and M can do that... but not with 10 aboard)

 

[walt]

(and walt went with larger diameter due to the hot water they pump in and out to kill the zebra mussels.)

Correct.. I breifly checked SA - didnt read much in that forum so I dont know whats on that thread..

 

[doehunter]

The drain plug/seal and the air vent plug work fine on my boat. The only times I've had more water than a big sponge (my primary bilge pump) could handle is when I had senior moments and forgot to tighten the seal and/or put the vent plug in after launching. Even then it wasn't a dangerous amount, more of a pita to bail out.

I really think that the most likely cause was an empty or partially empty ballast tank. It's hard to believe that the boat would have pitchpoled like that in calm weather if there had been ballast.

Someone on the SA forum mentioned a dirty waterline on the hull, indicating the boat stays on the water. I don't know, but if they take clients out daily, they probably do leave it in the water. If they do, there's no reason for the ballast to be empty. hmmm But then the boat turned turtle. Maybe it's missing enough of the flotation? If the boat had acted like the Mac in the advertisement where they sank it, it wouldn't matter if it had ballast or not, right? The flotation would hold the boat upright, but just under water.
I don't know. After being on mine, it's hard to see it rolling over if it was ballasted, unless it was full of water.